Dune: fear conquered, we shall be freeIt is complicated to make a decent second part. No one is usually entirely happy. The force of time and nostalgia have turned Top Gun into something more than an eighties icon, and now its hero is back to give more wax and stretch the chewing gum. Anyone else would have doubts. But after the Planet Hollywood triad (Stallone, Willis, Schwarzenegger) there are few people on the list who have created, empowered, and carried the weight of post-eighties Hollywood cinema on their shoulders like Tom Cruise. So sit back and have a good time and leave the Calvinist judgments at the door.
Technical data
Tom Cruise is still Maverick. A reckless pilot who doesn't know how to do anything but fly (or make blockbusters) and is still mortified by the loss of his partner Goose (Anthony Edwards) whose son has followed in his late father's footsteps. Between the "fall back and die," Tom Cruise can't seem to make up his mind until he finds in his fallen comrade's kid (Miles Teler: Whiplash) a path to redemption through a joint mission that will give him the chance to find the peace that eludes him. There will be fast-paced workouts, iconic and sweaty sporting moments, tobacco-stinging one-liners and an action-packed climax in true Steel Eagle (1986) style.
More spectacular
Undoubtedly Top Gun: Maverick is a spectacle that even at times makes us hold our breath and lean forward in the seat. It is a film that gains in spectacularity with respect to the previous one but loses in iconicity (although time will tell, and where I said I say, I say die). Its endings -because it has several- can be a bit of a ripple but they also provide humorous gags as well as sentimental closings that could be too much but are pleasant to watch. Nevertheless, the film is restrained in time and meets expectations: from the F-14 to the F-18 and back, the film does not fail to fulfill its part of homage, which is halfway between sequel and remake, without pretending at any time to be a spin-off, which is what many would think.
It's a work whose stitches are crafted from a technical cast of new Hollywood film craftsmen (Joseph Kosinski at the helm, with fellow Only the Brave epic Eric Warren Singe) with the expertise and experience of epistemological producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Tom Cruise, the latter bringing in his partner-in-crime Christopher McQuarrie to spice things up (as he did - and well done - with the Mission Impossible saga and so many others) to add a countdown to every story he makes (and it works).
A film tailor-made to please, whose fluidity suffers at times with some inexplicable fades to black that give the feeling of being episodic at times, but with all the pieces of the puzzle arranged to make a great entertainment product. The dramatic weight is carried by Tom and Teler, and its lowest and most aseptic point is the decaffeinated love affair with Jennifer Connelly (yes, there is love, but we don't know where it comes from or where it goes and it doesn't particularly matter to the viewer).
A generational replacement
Honorable mention to Val Kilmer (Iceman) in a scene with expertise that exudes charm and melancholy, and the very passing presence of Ed Harrys who always brings charisma and in two minutes leaves his mark in setting the tone of the film. A wonderful mix of action, testosterone and comedy with beautiful people and a song by Lady Gaga to garnish a correct soundtrack (tribute to the previous one) but with the signature of Hans Zimmer to give more hype to the matter.
Although Top Gun: Maverick has a bit of generational replacement, and a good line-up of young supporting players - Miles Teller in the lead, with his nemesis, the always likable Glen Powell (Everybody wants some) - unlike what Stallone did with Creed, it's a film that doesn't quite pass the baton. Tom Cruise is ageless and not going anywhere. He still seems to be centuries away from entering the twilight genre. No matter the age of the cast, no one can keep up with this man who seems to drink fuel and puts his stamp on this film that does not disappoint. A good entertainment for all audiences.
